Microbial Conversion of 2-Methylnaphthalene to 2-Methyl-1-naphthol and Menadione

Abstract

Microbial conversion of 2-methylnaphthalene to 2-methyl-1-naphthol and menadione was investigated. One hundred and twenty-eight strains among 1283 strains isolated using methylethylketone as a sole carbon source showed the activity to oxidize 2-methylnaphthalene to 2-methyl-1-naphthol and menadione of more than 0. 1 μM for 2 days. Optimization of reaction conditions using strain M502 resulted in improvement of the productivity. These products were isolated and identified by comparing with authentic samples on UV, MS, and NMR spectra. The results gave enough evidence to prove that microbial products were 2-methyl-1-naphthol and menadione.